A 41-year-old Eagan man competing in a 25-kilometer (15.5 miles) trail race in Lutsen perished on Saturday, May 20.
Jon Mathson collapsed in the Superior Spring Trail Race approximately three to four miles from Caribou Highlands on a trail between Moose Mountain and Mystery Mountain.
The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, along with additional first responders on site, attempted unsuccessfully to revive Mathson.
A 911 call came in at 10:59 a.m. Saturday, stating that a runner had collapsed. A group of responders, including medical personnel, four nurses and an offduty deputy on scene, performed CPR and worked to resuscitate the athlete unsuccessfully. Mathson, who was threetime finisher of the 25K Superior Trail Race, was pronounced dead on scene.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Mathson, the Superior Spring Trail Race community, and our first responders for this shocking and difficult loss,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen.
The official cause of death has not yet been determined and an autopsy will be completed.
On the race website race officials said, “We lost a member of our trail running community.” Mathson was a science and chemistry teacher at Eagan High School. His wife, Becky, and 2-yearold son, Dylan, survive him.
Lutsen First Responders, Cook County Ambulance, and Cook County Search & Rescue also responded to the call for help.
A “Go Fund Me” page has been set up for his wife and son.
The Superior Spring Trail races, 25K and 50K events, drew more than 500 participants.
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